Related Articles

Discussing controversial topics in the workplace tends to make people uncomfortable. However, without confronting stereotypes, personal biases and misconceptions, you allow unresolved conflict to fester and persist. Dealing with controversial issues in a constructive manner enables you to create a collaborative team environment. As people develop open interpersonal relationships, they exchange different ideas and opinions that typically lead to better decision-making. Whether your employees discuss work, politics, religion, scandals or international events, an effective team debates controversial issues with respect, without harassment and with the intent to support each other.

Addressing Controversy

To develop an effective workforce, you need provide a mechanism for employees to report issues that make them feel unsafe or threatened physically or emotionally. Typically, a human resource professional performs this role by responding to email, phone calls or personal complaints. Your small business should be prepared to handle controversial situations by establishing policies and procedures to provide governance in the workplace. An official code of conduct helps people maintain ethical behavior. Verifying allegations requires an official investigation, non-defensive communication and effective conflict-resolution techniques. People should be rewarded for taking a stand and supporting their position while respecting others.

Maintaining Diversity

Creating a culture in which employees feel safe and valued benefits a small business as well. Workplace controversies, such as misunderstanding traditions, misinterpreting comments or mistaking gestures, disrupt workflow. By offering training programs that teach people to value differences, you can prepare to deal with controversial workplace issues that people feel strongly about, such as dealing with differences in terms of gender, age, sexuality and race. To prevent a crisis, analyze your workforce to identify the hot buttons and take steps in advance of a potential issue.

Employee Concerns

Employer policies and procedures, particularly when they change without warning, may cause employees to worry about their job security, career development, salary benefits and privacy. Everyone wants to be treated fairly. Employers need to balance the needs of the business and the safety of all employees. The use of technology, including video, telephone and Internet usage surveillance, may concern some employees. As social media technology evolves and the workday extends longer hours, the line between personal time and work time becomes blurred. Managing these potential workplace issues effectively relies on clear and consistent communication between workers and managers.

Maintaining Equity

When the workplace becomes mired in controversial issues, employees may spend more time arguing with each other, supervisors and company executives. Adhering to local, state and federal regulations for hiring, assignment and termination decisions helps ensure that your small business operates in a standard manner. This can reduce some of the friction and disappointment. The Small Business Administration website provides to help you handle a range of controversial issues, including benefits, discrimination and harassment.

References (3)

About the Author

Tara Duggan is a Project Management Professional (PMP) specializing in knowledge management and instructional design. For over 25 years she has developed quality training materials for a variety of products and services supporting such companies as Digital Equipment Corporation, Compaq and HP. Her freelance work is published on various websites.